Are you hoping to improve your home just a little bit more? Renovations go through every homeowner’s mind at some point, but the type of projects you decide to take on or implement can make a world of difference in your home’s productivity. Home investments that pay you back in various ways are better than fun novelties.

Kitchen and Bath Remodels

For example, kitchen and bath remodeling both have significant benefits to your wallet. These two rooms are places that tend to have the most water damage or leakage issues, and remodeling can help you remove the problems entirely. They are also two of the most important rooms in the house, so adding fun features can make your home feel more streamlined.

Some of the best kitchen and bath upgrades are new appliances, new countertops, and new technology to make your life easier and safer. Depending on your family members’ ages, you may want to put different emphasis on different enhancements. Research some of the best remodeling techniques here.

Solar Panels

Alternative energy is another amazing way to get your money’s worth out of a renovation. Because less efficient energy leads to higher power bills, adding alternative energy to your home can keep your prices low. On top of that, solar installation has become more mainstream, making the start-up costs lower because of higher competition.

The price of solar has dropped 38 percent in the last five years. Most people start to see the benefits of using solar after only a couple of months. When you are ready to sell your home, it also becomes easier since people are craving solar energy in the housing market. Just another benefit to going with green energy.

Home Insulation

Speaking of energy, you don’t need to invest in solar energy to help your home become energy-efficient. Often families who suffer from high energy bills have some major problems that need to be fixed. Usually, there is a draft in a door or window, insulation is old, or the roof has some problems. Thankfully, with a little TLC, you can fix these issues.

Installing energy-efficient windows is also a brand-new way to make your home more energy-efficient. Look into the new and upcoming technology that will make your home more cost-effective and greener.

These are just a few of the ways you can implement cost-effective home renovations into your house’s design. It doesn’t take too much time to make these improvements, and they make a world of difference.

Read this next: How to Pull Off a Successful Home Improvement Project

There are so many important decisions you have to make about your home maintenance. But while it is easy to get caught up with maintenance issues and urgent home problems, you should also step back and think about your more comprehensive approach to your energy generally. Going renewable could be a great option for you with the right conditions.

Consider the Cost Savings

One of the first things you should figure out when you’re considering the switch to renewable energy is the actual savings you would have. Consider the energy costs for your current home, the cost of installation, and any tax benefits or other benefits you may get from the city for using renewable energy.

As you analyze your current energy spending, you may find that switching would save you a lot of money. If the margin isn’t huge, maybe consider a partial switch—you could even just install solar-powered outdoor lighting.

The Right Conditions

It’s also important to think carefully about your year-round weather. The best setting for renewable energy is in a place where you get a lot of sun for most of the hours of the day for a large number of days every year.

For example, the sunny weather and various tax credits make Florida a great place to invest in solar. It similarly is a good idea to invest in solar power if you live in California where there is a lot of sun year-round and where utilities costs are high.

The Right Setup

Another important thing to consider when it comes to deciding on renewable energy is the setup of your home. If you are considering getting solar panels for instance, it’s important that you examine your roof. Solar panels have to adhere to your roofing material, and they work best with roofs of durable materials such as asphalt shingles or concrete tiles.

It’s also important that you examine the slope of your roof—if it is too sloped, you won’t be able to capture as much sunlight and garner as much energy.

As you’re thinking about investing in renewable energy for your home, it’s so important that you think about your home from a long-game perspective. While the upfront costs of installation aren’t always cheap, remember that making your home energy efficient raises its value and will cut utility costs for years over time. If your home seems to be a good candidate for renewable energy, go for it.

Read this next: How to Pull Off a Successful Home Improvement Project

(BPT) - Consumers today are more mindful about the environmental impact of everything they do, from driving and traveling to energy usage in their homes. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to save energy and help the environment.

1. Boost your insulation

You may already know what areas of your home are poorly insulated, simply by how you feel when it’s cold or hot outside. You can have a professional home energy audit conducted to help pinpoint areas that need improvement. Many energy companies provide an audit free of charge.

Start with the attic: If your attic is insufficiently insulated, you could be losing a lot of heat over the winter, which means your home is wasting energy — and money. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that boosting attic insulation can save 10-50 percent on heating costs.

2. Upgrade your heating and cooling system

Heating and cooling your home uses the most energy, so investing in Energy Star certified HVAC products can make a big difference when it comes to cutting energy costs and your home's impact on the environment.

For a new HVAC system in a variety of styles to fit any décor that can be easily installed by a contractor, you might consider wall-mounted duct-free systems from a trusted brand like LG. They offer a variety of ultra-quiet "Art Cool" options (the sleek Mirror, stylish Premier and unique Gallery, which looks like a picture frame and allows you to display your own artwork). These systems are smart-enabled, allowing homeowners to adjust the temperature from their LG ThinQ app for Android and iOS users, or with simple commands via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

The most eco-conscious consumers will want to look for "Energy Star Most Efficient" HVAC solutions. For example, the Art Cool Mirror earned the 2019 designation and also features advanced "Reliable to Extreme Degrees" LGRED, heating technology that delivers 100 percent heating capacity down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit and continuous heating down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep you warm and comfortable all winter long with remarkable energy efficiency.

3. Replace doors and windows

You may be losing a lot of heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer through your doors and windows, especially if they're older. The latest energy-efficient models of windows and doors not only reduce leaks around the frames, but they're made from materials that enhance insulation.

Doors: According to EnergyStar.gov, energy-efficient doors not only fit better and have improved weather stripping to reduce air leakage, but also use improved core materials for superior insulation. Where glass is used, they reduce heat flow via double- or triple-paned insulating glass.

Windows: Energy Star qualified windows use superior framing materials, including multiple panes of glass, with air- or gas-filled space between for additional insulation. They're made from Low-E (low emissivity) glass, with special coatings to reflect infrared light. Warm edge spacers keep the glass panes the correct distance apart reducing heat transfer through the window.

4. Go solar

While most people are aware that solar power harnesses the sun’s energy to create electricity, many don't know how easy and cost-effective it is to go solar.

The newest technology behind solar energy has made it increasingly accessible and appealing for homeowners. For example, new energy solutions such as LG’s "NeON R ACe" are high-efficiency solar panels that incorporate a built-in micro-inverter (that converts DC electricity to AC) instead of a separate traditional inverter. Recessed into the frame of the solar module, the micro-inverter simplifies the installation process and allows more flexibility to create a solar array that looks attractive on your roof. When going solar, it’s important to seek out a brand you trust, one like LG that offers solar panels covered by a 25-year limited product, part and performance warranty.

Choosing just one area to upgrade will save energy, reducing your home's carbon footprint. You'll also feel more comfortable throughout the year, as you better regulate the temperature of your home.